Six down, two to go

Next to Western Kentucky, Murray State (2-5, 1-3 OVC) is the longest running rivalry on Eastern Kentucky’s 6-2, 6-0) schedule and a team to not be taken lightly.”We got to get ready to play,” said Eastern Head Coach Danny Hope.

Eastern needs to win only two of its three games left in order to capture the Ohio Valley Conference championship and move on to the NCAA Football Championship Series playoffs.

“The light at the end of the tunnel is defiantly getting a lot closer,” said junior fullback Jake Tamaska.

Eastern is nationally ranked 17th and first in the OVC, it is the only undefeated team in the conference, and has just come off a huge game against Tennessee State winning 49-7.

Murray State last week faced Southeast Missouri State and also came out with a victory 31-17 giving the Racers their first OVC win.

After last year’s 51-21 defeat at the hands of the Colonels, Murray State may be looking for retribution with or without a winning record.

“It’s a big-time rivalry and they always get up to play Eastern,” said senior defensive end Cardius Dowell

While the Racers offense seems to hold up its end of the deal, scoring 25.4 points per game, the defense makes it hard to win, allowing the team to still be out-score by just less than 12 points per game.

While the Racers’ are a relatively balanced team, it’s the pass they lean toward. Leaning toward it with inexperienced freshman Jeff Ehrhardt throwing the ball may not be the best idea.

With OVC defensive player of the week senior Derrick Huff leading the secondary, the Colonels could see its +17 turnover margin(leading all FCS) go up still.

“He keeps everybody crunk, everybody pumped up,” said Dowell.

After last week against Tennessee State, tying a career-best nine tackles and returning a interception 68 yards for a touchdown, it’s no wonder the defense looks up to him.

“We refer to derrick as a low-rep guy, he doesn’t take many reps to learn his assignment and can line up and play his position. He’s a heck of a football player,” said Coach Hope.

Hope expressed not just excitement about Huff but how the defense has done in general this season, and how statistically it may not be impressive but they’re physical and seem to make the big play week to week.

The inexperience in the air may be relieved by ground support from Murray State’s runners.